Family, Food, and Laughs

It was extremely difficult to get up and at ’em today. I was originally going to get up at 6:30 but I didn’t manage to escape the shackles of my bed’s blankets until somewhere around 8:30. (That may not seem very late but days start earlier around here since the sun always rises at 6 here along the Equator.)

Yesterday had been somewhat eventful as we headed out of the house for our first official outing with the cousins to ‘El Ejido,’ a park in el Centro (downtown Quito). We barely survived the day between the bus drivers of the sketchy buses that seemed about ready to fall apart with every lurch and the sun that beat down ceaselessly upon us as we walked up and down the streets. The park was full of vendors that sold all sorts of things from little llama trinkets to pieces of caña (sugarcane) and the smell of fried food permeated the dust-filled air.

Arriving home was a relief and I spent most of the rest of the day in the taller (workshop), practicing the Llumiquinga family trade: uniform making and selling. It’s especially busy this time of year since it is the beginning of the school year and everyone is scrambling to get it at the last minute.

Despite being inside for the rest of the day, working with my family was tiring and I was ready to sleep. (Not before cleaning up the house a little bit and practicing some Korean, my new pastimes.)

Back to today, my parents went shopping since we were lacking in the essentials (food, food, and food) and I tidied up a bit while they were gone since family was expected.

My father’s tía Marcia and tío Marco and their family arrived and quickly began preparing ceviche, a traditional ecuadorian dish that consists of shrimp, tomato, and onions. We settled down with the cousins and the rest of the family to eat this with tostado (toasted corn kernels, kind of like corn nuts), slices of lemon, and popcorn.

After eating, we sat around looking at old photos and laughing at the occasional funny look or marveling at the younger versions of ourselves and our family.

Soon, the making of pristiños began. These frybread type things are served with melted panela (solid unrefined brown sugar) and coffee. They are absolutely delicious and a must have whenever the family gets together.

Music and chaos ensued during and after the pristiños were served, my family showcasing the songs we often performed back home for our performances.

The dancing left us all breathless and soon we were all sat down in a circle, listening to my father as he instructed us in a basic English lesson. I don’t recall the last time I laughed that hard, the hilarity of trying to teach the phrase, “My name is ____” and “I like _____” too much for my dance-addled brain to handle.

Soon it was time for people to return home, but not before words of gratitude and welcoming were said by several members of the family. I teared up a bit, realizing that our family is so lucky to have the support of those here in Ecuador and that the next ten months will be filled with even more moments like this one.

Now, here I sit on the floor up against the desk that sits in the space between the rooms, as it is the only place with stable WiFi. Everyone is settling in after more than a few racous rounds of Just Dance with the cousins and we’ll soon be asleep, resting up for another day of family, food, and laughs.

– Korayma